Community calendar

From STAFF REPORTS

Tuesday

May 15, 2007 at 12:01 AM

Emergency siren testing

The Waxahachie Fire Department will test the city’s emergency siren system at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. Because the police and fire departments have switched to a new radio system, there will be at least two, if not three, separate tests conducted of the system.

If there is inclement weather, the test will not be conducted.

Donations needed

Donations are being sought to assist with May 19 commencement exercises for homeschool graduating seniors of Hillside Christian Academy, 106 N. Hillside in Red Oak.

For more information, contact Steve Tonick at (972) 576-0649.

Caribbean cruise

Reservations are being taken for a February 2008 Caribbean cruise to benefit the Gingerbread House children’s advocacy center. The cruise is sponsored by Blue Knights XXI, a law enforcement motorcycle club.

The seven-day trip from Galveston will include stops in Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The community is invited to participate. Book the cruise by calling (817) 283-2461 and asking for the Gingerbread House/Blue Knights XXI cruise.

Peace Officers Memorial Day

A special ceremony and roll call will be held from 12:15-12:40 p.m. May 15 at the Waxahachie Pocket Park at the corner of Franklin and College streets.

All Ellis County agencies will be represented.

Community forum

A community forum is slated for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at Graham Street Church of Christ, 304 Graham St. The meeting, open to the community, will be held in conjunction with the monthly meeting of the Waxahachie chapter of the NAACP.

GED graduation

Contact Sina Taimanao at (903) 875-7464 or 7460 before Wednesday, May 30, to participate in the GED graduation ceremony at Navarro College, set for Friday, June 8. All those who passed their GED during the 2006-2007 school year and reside in Navarro, Ellis, Limestone or Freestone counties are invited to participate in this ceremony.

Relay for Life

The Ellis County Relay for Life will hold its team captain meeting on Thursday, May 31, in the Red Oak Municipal Building, 200 Lakeview Parkway, Red Oak. Captains may register, make changes or turn in donations from 6:30-7 p.m. The general meeting will begin at 7.

All team captains for the 2007 Relay are urged to be in attendance. Anyone interested in learning more about Relay is urged to attend.

This year’s theme is “Fairy Tales - Making Dreams Come True … One Cure at a Time.”

The 11th annual Ellis County Relay for Life is set for June 8-9 at the Maypearl High School football field.

Contact Mary Ruth Mitchell, event co-chair, at (972) 938-8559 for more information about Relay for Life. To learn more about registering a team, contact Suzanne Baty at (972) 351-9558.

Pancake breakfast fly-in

The annual Mid-Way Regional Airport pancake breakfast fly-in will be held from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, June 2. Breakfast tickets are $5 and children younger than age 8 are free with each paying adult. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (972) 923-0080 or visit online at www.mid-wayregional.com.

Paint Historic Waxahachie

Paint Historic Waxahachie will be held Saturday, June 2, around the courthouse square in coordination with the Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes. Paint Historic Waxahachie is an activity of the Ellis County Art Association. The event is free and spectators are welcome to observe and interact with the artists. A 90-minute “quick draw” competition will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. The artwork produced during the competition will be sold at the live auction at the courthouse immediately after. Proceeds will benefit the Ellis County Art Museum.

For an event schedule and list of artists, call (972) 937-3414, e-mail ecaa@sbcglobal.net or visit online at www.elliscountyart.net.

Charmer leadership camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a dance/leadership camp with Showtime International on June 10-12.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, June 28, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283 for an appointment.

Charmer camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a choreography camp with American Dance Drill Team from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 30-Aug. 2 in Williams Gymnasium at Waxahachie High School.

Charmer home camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a home camp from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 6-9 in the little gym at Waxahachie High School. Team photographs will be taken Aug. 10.

Celebrating Nursing Home Week

Pleasant Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center will celebrate Nursing Home Week, May 14-18. The week will begin with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. followed by numerous activities, including wheelchair races, egg relay, a bake sale, balloon races, an auction, balloon volleyball and several others for the remaining of the week. Prizes also will be given out to staff and residents throughout the week.

Ellis County Republican Women will host Dr. Whitney Fogle at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce on YMCA Drive. The program and meetings are open to the general public, and the community is welcome to attend.

Waxahachie Senior Center

The Waxahachie Senior Center will host a dance Tuesday, May 15. The Midlothian Bus Barn Band will begin the dance at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 and covers the cost of the dance and light refreshment. The senior center is located at 219 Patrick in the Optimist Youth Building.

Teen Book Club

This month the Nicholas P. Sims Library Teen Book Club is meeting from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 17, to discuss “Pretties” by Scott Westerfeld.

“If you liked ‘Uglies’ you will love this second book of the trilogy,” a spokesman said. “Come join us and give us your thoughts on the book.”

Pancake breakfast

The Palmer High School drill team, the Show Stoppers, will have a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 19, at the school. There will be a basket auction, door prizes and a dance show. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Tabatha Baker at (972) 449-3138. The 2007-2008 school year will be the Show Stopper’s first year and all proceeds will go toward the purchase of uniforms.

Green and White Classic BBQ

The Waxahachie QB Club will sponsor its annual H-E-B Green and White Classic barbecue from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, May 19. The barbecue, which will include barbecue brisket, potato salad, beans, bread, onions and pickles, will be held in conjunction with a seven-on-seven tournament. Tickets are $6 each with all proceeds benefiting the club to sustain a level of excellence that has led to four district championships in the past five years. The supplies have been donated by the local H-E-B store. The club has contributed in excess of $140,000 in the past seven years to the improvement of the facilities and equipment, as well as $21,000 in scholarships for the athletes of the football program. Club volunteers will donate their time and the support of our student athletes is greatly appreciated.

Contact a Waxahachie football player, coach or club officer for a ticket or for more information, call (972) 923-4606.

Adoption information meeting

A China and international adoptions information meeting at Nicholas P. Sims Library is set for 2-4 p.m. May 19. The meeting is free and open to the public. Anyone interested attending or learning more can contact Libby Randall at Hope Cottage at (214) 526-8721 or adoption@hopecottage.org. Hope Cottage is a not for profit agency.

Play day

The Wagon Wheel Saddle Club will hold a play day at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, with a rain out day scheduled for Saturday, May 26. The cost is $2 per event and all ages are welcome.

The arena is located at 1806 Bear Creek in Cedar Hill.

For more information, visit www.freewebs.com/wagonwheel or call club president James Logan at (972) 223-6119.

Open house

Century 21 Judge Fite Company and 60 other Century 21 offices in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area will conduct an open house weekend Sunday, May 20, featuring about 600 open houses.

The weekend will provide consumers with the opportunity to see several properties of interest at the same time and the chance to win free gas for a year by attending and filling out an entry form at any of the participating events.

For more information, call (817) 804-3282 or visit online at www.CENTURY21JudgeFite.com.

Summer day camp

Spring Creek Baptist Church will begin registration for summer day camp will begin Monday, May 21, for children ages 4-11. Camp will begin May 29 and run through Aug. 24. For more information, call the church at (972) 938-7729.

Student information sessions

The Navarro College Waxahachie campus will offer a student information session, including application procedures, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, in room 121.

Eligible attendees can complete an application for admissions and learn about the financial aid and scholarship options available to them. Financial aid programs are available for students to help meet college expenses - eligibility will be determined once a Free Application for Federal Student Aid has been submitted and processed by the Federal Department of Education. Items to bring to the session include proof of residency (driver’s license), transcripts (high school, college, GED), and any assessment tests completed (unless otherwise exempt, THEA, Compass). For more information, contact the campus at (972) 937-7612, or visit the Web site at www.navarrocollege.edu.

Relay fund-raiser

The Ellis County Relay for Life is sponsoring a fund-raiser with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

First prize is a $300 Visa gift card. Second prize includes four Texas Ranger baseball tickets with a parking pass. Third prize includes two Stars hockey tickets with a parking pass. Fourth, fifth and sixth prizes include a $100 gift card from Lowes, a $100 gift card from Belk’s and five hours of free limousine service donated by A Luxury Limo 4 U. Seventh prize is an appliance basket from H-E-B which includes a toaster, coffee maker, blender, coffee grinder and slow cooker. Eighth prize is an entertainment basket from Hastings. The basket includes a computer game, board game and gift certificate.

Tickets are $1 and are available from any committee or team member.

This year’s Ellis County Relay for Life will be June 8-9 at Maypearl High School football field.

Contact Mitchell at (972) 938-8559 for more information about this fund-raiser or further information about the Ellis County Relay for Life.

Community forum

A community forum is slated for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at Graham Street Church of Christ, 304 Graham St. The meeting, open to the community, will be held in conjunction with the monthly meeting of the Waxahachie chapter of the NAACP.

Walk Across Texas

The grand finale for Walk Across Texas will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, May 21, at the Fine Arts Center at Waxahachie High School. At the event, awards will be presented for the team that logged the most miles during the eight-week period, for the individual that walked the most, and all participating will receive a certificate of completion. For more information, contact the county Extension Service office, 701 S. Interstate 35 E, Suite 3, Waxahachie, call (972) 825-5175 or e-mail rmhodges@ag.tamu.edu.

GED graduation

Contact Sina Taimanao at (903) 875-7464 or 7460 before Wednesday, May 30, to participate in the GED graduation ceremony at Navarro College, set for Friday, June 8. All those who passed their GED during the 2006-2007 school year and reside in Navarro, Ellis, Limestone or Freestone counties are invited to participate in this ceremony.

Relay for Life

The Ellis County Relay for Life will hold its team captain meeting on Thursday, May 31, in the Red Oak Municipal Building, 200 Lakeview Parkway, Red Oak. Captains may register, make changes or turn in donations from 6:30-7 p.m. The general meeting will begin at 7.

All team captains for the 2007 Relay are urged to be in attendance. Anyone interested in learning more about Relay is urged to attend.

This year’s theme is “Fairy Tales - Making Dreams Come True … One Cure at a Time.”

The 11th annual Ellis County Relay for Life is set for June 8-9 at the Maypearl High School football field.

Contact Mary Ruth Mitchell, event co-chair, at (972) 938-8559 for more information about Relay for Life. To learn more about registering a team, contact Suzanne Baty at (972) 351-9558.

Pancake breakfast fly-in

The annual Mid-Way Regional Airport pancake breakfast fly-in will be held from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, June 2. Breakfast tickets are $5 and children younger than age 8 are free with each paying adult. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (972) 923-0080 or visit online at www.mid-wayregional.com.

Paint Historic Waxahachie

Paint Historic Waxahachie will be held Saturday, June 2, around the courthouse square in coordination with the Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes. Paint Historic Waxahachie is an activity of the Ellis County Art Association. The event is free and spectators are welcome to observe and interact with the artists. A 90-minute “quick draw” competition will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. The artwork produced during the competition will be sold at the live auction at the courthouse immediately after. Proceeds will benefit the Ellis County Art Museum.

For an event schedule and list of artists, call (972) 937-3414, e-mail ecaa@sbcglobal.net or visit online at www.elliscountyart.net.

GED graduation

GED graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 8, in the Dawson Auditorium at the Navarro College - Corsicana campus.

Play day

The Wagon Wheel Saddle Club will hold a play day at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 9, with a rain out day scheduled for Saturday, June 30. The cost is $2 per event and all ages are welcome.

The arena is located at 1806 Bear Creek in Cedar Hill.

For more information, visit www.freewebs.com/wagonwheel or call club president James Logan at (972) 223-6119.

Charmer leadership camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a dance/leadership camp with Showtime International on June 10-12.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, June 28, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283 for an appointment.

Charmer camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a choreography camp with American Dance Drill Team from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 30-Aug. 2 in Williams Gymnasium at Waxahachie High School.

Charmer home camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a home camp from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 6-9 in the little gym at Waxahachie High School. Team photographs will be taken Aug. 10.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283 for an appointment.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283 for an appointment.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283 for an appointment.

Play day

The Wagon Wheel Saddle Club will hold a play day at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 9, with a rain out day scheduled for Saturday, June 30. The cost is $2 per event and all ages are welcome.

The arena is located at 1806 Bear Creek in Cedar Hill.

For more information, visit www.freewebs.com/wagonwheel or call club president James Logan at (972) 223-6119.

Blood drive

Eta Omega will hold a blood drive for Carter BloodCare on Saturday, May 19, at the Ellis County Diagnostic Clinic parking lot, 501 N. U.S. Highway 77, Waxahachie. Donors receive a free T-shirt and a chance to win a free night at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine and a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise. For more information, contact Patti Junkin at (972) 935-8655.

Indian Princess, Indian Guide

programs

The YMCA Indian Princess and Indian Guide programs are seeking fathers that have been or are interested in being involved with the program and would like to join an advisory committee to come up with ideas for marketing and promoting the programs. Call the YMCA at (972) 937-9622.

Obituary research

Nicholas P. Sims Library offers obituary research for patrons who cannot visit the library in person. The library charges $5 per name and 20¢ per page for copies of obituaries or newspaper articles. The library cannot guarantee successful results, refund payment nor send research prior to payment. For more information, call (972) 937-2671.

Mothers’ milk bank

Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas has opened its fifth Metroplex location for donating milk at Outreach Health Services, 110 Amanda Lane, Waxahachie.

“There is a growing need for healthy breast-feeding women who want to share their excess milk,” a spokesman said. “This is due to the demand from hospitals and fragile infants for donor human milk.”

Donors undergo a screening process before donating the milk, which is pasteurized and stored in the Fort Worth milk bank. The milk is used in the care of premature and seriously ill babies across North Texas.

For more information, contact Amy Vickers at Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas at (817) 810-0071 or Paula Livingston at Outreach Health Services at (972) 937-4777.

Clients needed for Assistance Dogs

The Assistance Dogs of Texas, a local, nonprofit organization, is now accepting applications from people who could benefit from a service dog. Dogs are trained to complete various tasks such as alerting to sounds, assisting in balance, opening doors and retrieval of items such as canes, phones and other objects, among others. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a helping companion, call Cindy Roberts at (972) 617-3136 or e-mail bcrockett1@worldnet.att.net.

English as a

second language

Navarro College is offering free English as a second language courses during the 2006-2007 school year. Students may start at any time. Classes are offered from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Ennis High School, 1405 Lake Bardwell Drive, and from 5-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday at Waxahachie High School, 1000 N. U.S. Highway 77. For more information, call (903) 875-7464 or 1-800-NAVARRO. Visit http://www.navarrocollege.edu/abe.

Waxahachie branch of NAACP

Waxahachie branch of NAACP meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at 206 U.S. Highway 77 S. for the monthly meeting. Call (972) 937-2077.

Cherokee

information

The sovereign Cherokee Nation Tejas is seeking Native American people and others with Native American ancestors. Anyone who is interested in joining is asked to contact the administrative office, 105 Mount Vernon St., Mabank. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5266, Mabank, TX 75147; the telephone is (903) 887-9500. Business hours are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Donations needed

Ellis County Community Achieving Real-life Empowerment Skills, a nonprofit organization, is gathering items for local women and children in need, such as maternity, baby, children and adult clothing and for office space, including, furniture, office equipment and office setup, with location for offices to be donated in Ellis County.

For more information, call Dalaine Fletcher at (214) 773-7191 or Denise Gibbons at (214) 773-2761.

Ombudsmen

needed

The Area Agency on Aging of North Central Texas Ombudsman Program has an immediate need for volunteers to help elderly and disabled residents throughout Ellis County.

Volunteer ombudsmen advocate for the rights of residents in nursing and assisted living facilities. Volunteers also help identify and resolve complaints for, or on behalf of, residents or their families.

For more information, call Lisa Walker at 1-800-272-3921, ext. 1172, or e-mail Pat Borgfeldt at ppborgfeldt@aol.com.

Experience Works

Experience Works is a nonprofit organization that provides paid job training and free employment services to low-income older workers.

Experience Works is recruiting job-seeking individuals in the community who are 55 and older with limited income and who want to work an average of 20 hours a week.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.experienceworks.org or call (972) 230-7010 or toll free 1-877-781-9953.

Art association

The Ellis County Art Association general meeting is at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of every month at the Ellis County Fine Arts Museum, 501 W. Main St., Waxahachie. Visitors are welcome.

Write On

Write On, a critique group for writers in all genres, meets from 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month in the anteroom of the Medical Building located at 201 Ferris, where Ferris meets Water Street. For more information, call Pat Pratt at (972) 935-9685 or Wynette Green at (972) 723-3931.

Volunteers needed

Family First Hospice needs volunteers to sit with loved ones to enable the caregiver to run errands and have time away. Volunteers are also used in the office to help staff needs, computer work, etc.

All potential volunteers are screened and will have background checks conducted. Call (972) 878-2273 or (972) 921-5355.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian-based organization that has completed several homes in the Ellis County community. New volunteers are always welcome. For additional information, visit online at www.ellishabitat.org or call the local office at (972) 937-2797.

Preservation program

The Waxahachie Heritage Council meets at 7 p.m. the fifth Tuesday of each month at the fire station training room, 704 Water St. in Waxahachie.

For more information, e-mail oharrington@ci.duncanville.tx.us.

Volunteers needed

Do you have an eye for fashion, a knack for knick-knacks and a little time on your hands? Not afraid to have fun? Waxahachie Resale is looking for you. Waxahachie Resale is a nonprofit thrift store supporting the Women’s Resource Centers of Ellis County. If interested in volunteering, call Melanie Moore at (972) 923-2680. The store’s hours are from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays.

The shop is located at 1204 E. Ferris Ave. in Waxahachie.

Medical power of attorney forms

Blank forms and instructions for their completion for medical power of attorney for out of hospital DNR (do not resuscitate) are available at no cost at Pleasant Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center, 3650 S. Interstate 35E.

“Help your family by completing the forms and providing a copy to your physician,” a spokesman said. “Help your family to know your health care and end of life wishes by putting them in writing.”

For rent

The Ellis County Woman’s Building, located at 407 W. Jefferson, is available to rent for weddings, meetings, family reunions, etc. For more information or to make a reservation, call (972) 937-6845.

Free testing

The Women’s Resource Center of Waxahachie offers free pregnancy tests on a regular basis. No appointment is necessary.

Operating hours for the center are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. The center is located at 1204 Ferris Ave., No. E, Waxahachie. For more information, call (972) 938-7900.

Early Childhood PTA to meet

Mothers and caregivers of children from ages birth to 5 are invited to join the Early Childhood PTA at its meeting the second Wednesday of every month from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 505 W. Marvin, Waxahachie.

In addition to monthly meetings, the group schedules playgroups, children’s outings, family outings, mom’s night outs and dad’s night outs. Refreshments are provided and childcare is available.

For more information call (972) 923-2494 or email ecpta@ev1.net.

55 Plus Alive Group

The 55 Plus Alive Group of the Greater New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church meets at 500 Wyatt St., each first and third Thursday at 10 a.m.

There are field trips and different activities that people can organize and participate in.

The Gingerbread House children’s advocacy center is seeking volunteers to serve as family greeters for the center. The family greeter volunteer will assist the center’s forensic interviewer in greeting each family. Each volunteer must complete a required volunteer application and background check. For additional information and questions, contact (972) 937-1870.

NAMI support group to meet

The NAMI Ellis County peer support group meets every Friday at 2 p.m. at Adapt in Waxahachie. Call (469) 337-7697 for more information.

Food and clothes closet

The food and clothes closet of the Lee Turner Ministries Life of Victory Global Outreach Center Inc. is open from 9-11 a.m. Monday-Thursday and from 3-5 p.m. Friday. The center is located at 1521 E. Main St.; the telephone is (972) 937-0323.

For additional information, call (972) 938-9013 or (972) 937-8345.

Toastmasters meetings

Toastmasters of Waxahachie meets at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Baylorworx in Northgate Plaza. Anyone interested in improving his or her public speaking skills is invited.

Ellis County Amateur Radio Club

The Ellis County Amateur Radio Club meets each third Thursday evening at Cancun’s Amer-Mex Restaurant, located at 1585 U.S. Highway 77 North, Waxahachie. The dinner is Dutch treat and begins at 6:30 p.m. The meetings begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. and are held in the meeting room. All licensed radio amateurs, persons interested in amateur radio and the public are invited to attend.

Ellis County Cruising meeting

Owners of 1970 or older automobiles are invited to join the Ellis County Cruising Association at its meetings, the first Tuesday of every month, from 7-9 p.m. at the Red Oak Whataburger, located at Ovilla Road and Interstate 35. No dues are required - just show up!

For more information, contact Bobby Page at (469) 323-2536 or e-mail truckerpage@sbcglobal.net.

Bridge group

Duplicate bridge is played every Monday at 7 p.m. in the gathering room of the Waxahachie First United Methodist Church and is open to all who want to play bridge. This is ACBL-sanctioned and is sponsored by the Covenant Sunday School class.

For more information, call (972) 937-5896.

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